The Hon. Imran Maharoof

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. First, a matter outside today’s topic. In the last Sitting I raised that Muslim nurses, midwives and minor staff in Trincomalee hospitals and MOH offices were ordered by the Regional Director of Health Services not to wear cultural attire. After I spoke, Hon. Fasmin Sharif said I was lying.

¶ 02 Affected members of the Trincomalee Health Department Employees’ Union came to my office afterward and complained with evidence. Hon. Deputy Speaker, when we raise problems faced by Muslims in the Eastern Province, how can an MP from Kandy call it false? If you say it is false, prove it. I submit a letter titled “Request to permit wearing cultural attire while on duty,” signed by affected staff, for the Hansard record.

¶ 03 When a community faces a problem, we must solve it—not dismiss it as false. If you claim it is false, give reasons here. The Hon. Member says we are smearing the Government. We have no need to smear. If a Government‑side Muslim MP says there are no anti‑Muslim actions today, then by denying these issues he is the one smearing the Government.

¶ 04 You speak about YouTube and lament short suspensions due to Opposition actions. Think how many disruptions you made in the past against good measures of previous governments. Today, how many YouTubers are on government payrolls as media coordinators? State‑owned media and many other outlets favour you as never before—use that responsibly. People are discerning; they can judge right and wrong.

¶ 05 On the attire issue, discussions are underway whether such attire can be permitted in hospitals and MOH offices, and letters have been received. If what we say is false, why are letters being received and recommendations being sought? Please provide solutions instead of denying.

¶ 06 Regarding the Muthunagar land issue raised here weeks ago: at the last Trincomalee District Coordinating Committee meeting, a decision was said to have been made to allow cultivation on surplus lands. Despite that assurance, farmers who went to their lands were arrested and assaulted. Based on the given assurance, they went to cultivate; yet they were attacked and arrested. S. Sabarulla, K. Sattar, N. Sujath, S. Rifas, and A.M. Ajmeer were remanded for seven days and later released.

¶ 07 Hon. Deputy Speaker, please provide a solution to the Muthunagar farmers. Do not say “the previous government did it.” You knew that when you made election promises to restore those lands. If not, provide compensation or alternative lands. Engage them and resolve their legitimate demands. I conclude.